The best coffee in Brisbane to get your caffeine fix

Coffee Mentality is something of a mini empire, built on changing the way we think about and drink coffee, one cup at a time. The coffee tasting experiences currently run on Wednesdays, and offer coffee lovers the chance to try a whopping 32 single origins, including their very own urban-grown beans. Established in an effort to minimise the environmental impact of coffee, their award-winning Urban Coffee Project saw the release of Brisbane’s first urban grown coffee. Coffee Mentality also works closely with coffee growers in Ian’s home country of the Philippines by closely supporting sustainable initiatives and ensuring that pay and working conditions are fair. 

True to their name, Coffee Anthology in the city offers a changing selection of high-end coffee. The friendly baristas will talk you through the flavour profiles (which range from chocolate and nutty to fruity) before matching your chosen roast to the best brewing method. The multi-roaster approach has kept Coffee Anthology amongst the tastemakers on the Brisbane scene and means that coffee aficionados will find new and exciting drops each time they visit.  Keep your eye on the space, as a whole host of exciting things are yet to come, including the launch of coffee-infused cocktails and a second cafe specialising in international blends.

The New Black is a bright, stylish café, right opposite the Beat nightclub in Fortitude Valley. It's one of the main puzzle pieces in Bakery Lane, the design and hospitality development that is one of the nicest things ever to happen to a grungy part of town. For those seeking really good coffee, brekkies made with care and flair, and a warm and kindly welcome, the café delivers on all fronts. Carrara's Parallel Roasters are supplying the beans, and they're being deployed with plenty of punch by the barista team, which operates in a separate section of the café out the back that fronts onto the lane. They make a fantastic cup of joe here with that special blend of Brazilian, Colombian and Papua New Guinean beans, powerful enough to get you going, its satisfying bitterness tempered with a dark chocolate edge. If you're interested in expanding your caffeine palate you can get a Coffee Tasting Board. The love of the bean also extends to a menu star – the Espresso Waffles.

A stalwart of the Brisbane coffee scene, Bellissimo Coffee is one of the highest awarded roasters in Australia. Since their humble beginnings in 2009 they’ve expanded to three locations and their coffee can be found in cafés nationwide. Bellissimo are known for their dedication to serving up single-origin beans from some of the world’s best coffee regions. If you’re after something a little different check out their range of house iced drinks. The cafés are open every day of the year and serve a range of brunch options including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan delights. If you want to take the taste of Bellissimo home with you there’s a subscription service, and their full range can be bought in store and online.

Housed in a converted bomb shelter, this vine-covered hole in the wall is known for dishing out some of the best coffee to be found in the café heartland of Milton. Drop by and sit in the sun with one of their iced specialties for one of life’s pleasures. There are plenty of take-home options, including a full range of beans and home brewing products, as well as the rather special casks of Colombian cold brew – another go-to for Brisbane’s sweltering summers. Add in a fully stocked cake and pastry selection from sibling store Neighbour Milton (including plenty of vegan options) and you are well and truly looked after at Bunker.

The ultra-cool Black Sheep is consistently ranked as one of Brisbane’s best specialty roasters, operating their warehouse and café from an unpretentious industrial estate in the inner-city neighbourhood of Wolloongabba. The café showcases their own range of single-origin and specialty house blends on their impressive three-group Synesso Hydra espresso machine, as well offering a dedicated filter range which includes a choice of V60, Batch Brew or Aeropress. With a focus on ethically and sustainably sourced beans, you know you are getting quality coffee directly from the grower. Black Sheep has a range of delicious baked goods, is dog friendly and is open every day.

John Mills Himself has been pumping out premium coffee since 2014 and is another great CBD go-to option. The café is located on the ground floor of one of Brisbane’s prettiest heritage-listed buildings and is named after the original owner of the former printery. What the space lacks in size is more than made up for in the sophistication of the coffee and service. Co-owned by Matthew Burt and Marcus Allison, the café has a focus on quality and sustainability that favours the use of local ingredients. The house coffee is Dark Horse blend by Five Senses Coffee – an intense and full-bodied blend which is equally suited to black and milk servings. The café also showcases guest roasters from ethical and innovative Australian roasters. JMH is a must visit coffee destination in the city.  

Local favourites Blackstar have been a pioneering force on our roasting and barista culture since 2007. Founder Martin Richards established Blackstar when he returned from New Zealand with the mission of bringing specialty coffee to Brisbane. As well as the original West End location, there are two city branches – Blackstar MacArthur Central and Blackstar Contessa on Roma Street. Blackstars’ commitment to sustainability and community has continued to set them apart, and they have partnered with Trees.org and Landcare Australia to establish Coffee for Trees, which has them planting three trees for each kilo of coffee sold. As of 2022 Blackstar are completely carbon neutral, giving you yet another reason to pop in for a truly great cup of coffee.

Death Before Decaf is a one-of-a-kind experience – a 24-hour, hardcore and metal music-loving, skate scene espresso bar. That’s right – this place serves coffee and tunes 24/7, meaning you’ll never have to go without that caffeine fix ever again. Located opposite the cinemas on Brunswick Street in New Farm, Death Before Decaf was born when owners Carl and Nicola channelled their love of coffee, tats and heavy metal and created a space that is as unique, unpretentious and welcoming as they are. The café has quickly become a favourite within the music and skate scene, as well as appealing to shift and service workers. The Death Before Decaf team are also committed to keeping it local, serving up single origin brews from neighbourhood fave Black Mass Roasters.